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The Lighthouse Shelter opened its
doors last week for anyone in need of a warm meal and a place to stay during
daytime hours. Lucien Bernard, a long time Kodiak resident, who has been
serving Saturday morning breakfast at the Kodiak Baptist Mission for eight
years, started the shelter with the help of his non-profit organization and Saint
James the Fisherman Episcopal Church. KMXT's Erik Wander has more.

70-year-old Lucien Bernard, who has
been in Kodiak for 12 years, said the shelter opened the day after Thanksgiving.
Bernard said the few people he's seen at the shelter so far are appreciative,
and he hopes to see more visitors as word spreads.

--(Bernard 115 sec"We did get online ... happy and
very thankful.")

Bernard, a Vietnam
veteran, who struggled with alcoholism for 40 years and lived on the streets of
Reno, Nevada for a period of time, said he's gratified to be able to fulfill
his long-held dream of helping people in similar circumstances in Kodiak.

--(Bernard 240 sec"I'm
much more prepared ... I can give it back.")

Bernard established the Kodiak Lion
Tamers non-profit organization eight years ago to help recovering addicts and
the homeless. He said there is a great need for such services in Kodiak and that
more needs to be done to help.

--(Bernard 322 sec"We
have a lot that needs to be done ... to help people.")

The shelter also offers faith-based,
group counseling through Bernard's own Kodiak Lion Tamers and the national Celebrate
Recovery programs. He said the programs are not only for people with addiction
problems or who live on the street.

--(Bernard 417 sec"When
I first got sobered up ... who in the world you are.")

The shelter, located at 415 Thorsheim
Street at Saint James the Fisherman Episcopal Church near Brother Francis
Shelter and the downtown area, is open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Bernard said
all are welcome for breakfast, lunch and sometimes even dinner. He asks that people
call ahead if possible, so he has enough food on hand. The shelter also
welcomes volunteers to help prepare or serve meals. I'm Erik Wander.###